The renowned Recognition in the field of Photography, British Photography Awards (BPA), 2023 edition. The aesthetic event celebrated the stunning talent of photographers that captured the beauty and diversity of wildlife across the United Kingdom and beyond that, especially the Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
Amboseli National Park is popular with the name, ‘Home of the African Elephant’. The wildlife national park is located at the highest peak of Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro. The name ‘Amboseli’ comes from a word of Maasai language which means ‘salty dust’.
It is one of the best places in Africa where large herds of the elephants can be seen at close, very clearly. It is a place for nature lovers to explore five different habitants that ranges from dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, savannah and woodlands.
The British Photography Awards (BPA), every year, rewards the photographers who have submitted their best shots of wildlife. The photographers have conveyed the mesmerizing moments that they have managed to capture in time.
The pictures which were recognised has glorified the beauty of the nature and has also raised the awareness regarding conservation efforts and has showcased the importance of protecting the environment.
The photography association honours the skills, talent and creativity of the photographers. Along with that they have also provided a platform to promote the conservation and raise awareness about the threats they face while capturing the wildlife.
British Photography Association displayed the amazing framed picture and encouraged all to appreciate the natural world and take action to protect and save it for future generations.
The winning photographers were shortlisted through public voting and is now and selected the best ones.
The picture by Photographer Tom Way was rewarded as the Overall Winner under the Land Animal Category of the British Photography Awards 2023. The winning photography is titled as ‘Thirst’.
The photograph depicts the story of Elephants travelling afar to seek refuge under the Mt Kilimanjaro whose melting snow is giving life to the lush swamps within the Amboseli National Park, in Kenya.
It is happening because the rainy seasons are becoming shorter and shorter and the droughts are more prolonged and intense over time.
Due to this scarcity, the elephants are travelling into the park from the North West and have crossed the Lake Amboseli, which is dry unless there are extended rains.
While explaining the story behind the photograph, Tom Way expressed, “Back in 2016, the early rains did not arrive and everyday throughout my stay I would base myself on the lakebed looking for large shapes to be crossing into the park from a distance looking for water.”
Tom Way explained further, “On that particular evening we spotted a lone bull making its way across the cracked earth.” The photographer added that he wanted to include as much of the texture in the foreground as possible as it was necessary to emphasise the severe drought and to signify the reason that these mammals are travelling so far to reach the foothills of the mountain.
The second-best picture selected was of wildlife photographer Martin West, who won the People’s Choice Award under the Category of Land Animal, for his photograph titled ‘Fox meets Fox portrait’.
Whether you’re an avid nature enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of a well-captured photograph, the winning images from the British Photography Awards are sure to leave you in awe.
Photographer Martin West depicted the story behind capturing the photograph, “I had walked past this fox street art a number of times and knew that there were foxes in the area.”
Martin added that he had waited for one whole evening, and after a while, one fox came by. It stopped briefly for a while, by the artwork and appeared to look at it and managed to capture the photo.
“It then carried to continue to walk on its way. It really felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity!” said photographer Martin West.
Another appreciated photo was ‘African Giants’ by female photographer Poulomee Basu. Clicked by the camera Nikon D7200, the photograph was appreciated under the category of Land Animals at Amboseli National Park, in Kenya.
Basu explained the story behind the picture, that the morning at Amboseli National Park is a special time. The great Kilimanjaro stands still, shrouded in mist, while the elephant herds move slowly in its shadow.
“In this chaotic world, certain moments exude tranquility, for me this is one of those moments. Pure and powerful at the same time,” explained Poulomee Basu.
Some other aesthetic clicks that displayed the Amboseli National Park of Kenya, are:
- Leopard Hunting by Tom Way
- Among the Trees by Christian Tuckwell-Smith
- Arctic Fox Squabble by Tracey Lund
- As the sun sets by Fiona Clark
- Ever watchful arctic fox by David Oldham
- Pine Marten Getting Wet by Keith Thorburn
- Light and Dust by Nashipae Wilde
- Look of Love by Jacha Potgieter
- Mama Bear by Vicky Scott
- Meat Feast by Poulomee Basu
- Mountains of Gold by Kevin Morgans
- Reaching Out by Zaneta Threlfall
- Morning Breath by Liam Willis
- Hedgehog Drinking at Night by Terry Donnelly
- Deer at Dust by Adam Robertson
- Defensive Baby Elephant by Philip Yale
- Under Mother’s Guidance by Tom Way